We all have terms of affection for our spouses (at least most of us do). Sometimes I tell my husband that he’s “my old man”. But it occurred to me recently that although he recognizes the underlying sentiment, he may not actually like it. It’s not that we’re not both getting old – we have the driver’s licenses and wrinkles to prove it, but no one likes to be reminded. Even if it’s said with love and affection.
This lesson is taught to us by none other than the Almighty Himself in His dealings with our forefather Abraham and his wife Sarah. When told that she is going to have a child, Sarah laughs and says, “But I am old and my husband is old,” (Genesis 18:12). When the Almighty repeats the story to Abraham, He carefully leaves out the part where Sarah mentions that Abraham is old. Abraham was 100 years old at the time and Sarah was 90! If my husband and I are considered old, then Abraham and Sarah were VERY old. And, no doubt, they knew it! They had also probably been married about 80 years at that point and we know it was a good, solid, relationship, a marriage to emulate and admire. So why did the Almighty feel compelled to leave out Sarah’s comment about her husband?
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Keywords: Marriage, communication, speech, talking, spouse, spousal, good marriage, husband and wife, tongue, holding ones tongue, holding your tongue, evil speaking, tongue a fire, word in season, word in due season, filthy talk, filthy communication
Bible reference(s): Genesis 18:12-13, Psa 141:3, Pro 4:24, Pro 10:11-13, Pro 10:19, Pro 10:31-32, Pro 12:18, Pro 13:2-3, Prov. 18:21, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 15:2, Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 15:7, Proverbs 15:14, Proverbs 15:23, Proverbs 15:26, Proverbs 15:28, Proverbs 16:21, Proverbs 16:23, Proverbs 16:24, Proverbs 17:27, Proverbs 17:28, Proverbs 18:4, Pro 20:15, Pro 21:23, Pro 25:11, Pro 26:20, Proverbs 29:11, Proverbs 29:20, Pro 31:26, Ecc 3:7, Ecc 10:12, Ecc 12:11, Mat 5:37, Mat 12:36-37, Eph 4:29, Eph 4:31, Eph 5:25, Phi 1:27, Col 3:19, Col 4:6, Jam 1:19, Jam 1:26, Jam 3:2, Jam 3:5-6, Jam 3:8-10, 1Pe 3:7, 1Pe 3:10
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